Transformers Linkfest - More 3rd Party Stuff

Time for another Transformers link fest not related to Transformers: Dark of the Moon stuff. In many cases it also seems like a repeat of previous link fests with new galleries to previous toys with the main difference being that many of them are available to buy.

BTS-04 Sonicron (Soundwave) Gallery
Hit the link to view more pics of the 3rd party Sonicron (Soundwave) that uses his classic G1 look with a new alt mode of a more modern tape recorder. The toy works with classic G1 cassettes but apparently the company is working on making new ones to at some point.

Generation One Series Bible Auction
Heritage Auction has posted images and the chance to buy a copy of the Transformers Series Bible from Sunbow Productions back in 1984. The 75-page book is the specifics on the character designs, episode synopses and more that was used when creating the animation for the series that started it all. (via Seibertron)

IDW October Transformers Comics

IDW Publishing has released their publishing plans for October that continues the Chaos storyline that will run through the books through the end of the year. A total of two books is being released. If you are interested in the books, just let your local comic book store know. For the full details of IDW's other books including GI Joe, Star Trek, and more click here.

DOTM Linkfest

The movie has been out for weeks now and yet the Transformers: Dark of the Moon related merchandise news keeps coming.

Figure King 162 ScansHit the link for a scan of Japanese toy magazine Figure King #162 featuring Takara's release across the entire line of Transformers including DOTM, Masterpiece, and more. It also has interviews with Takara Tomy toy designers (but obviously in Japanese).

DOTM Galleries - Armored Topspin | Leadfoot | Shockwave Repaint | Shockwave and Ratchet Action Sets | Target Exclusives
A bunch of links to upcoming DOTM toys that should be hitting toy shelves soon or already have (Target exclusives). The Shockwave repaint is very odd and not confirmed if official. I am sure one is coming as Hasbro reuses every mold at least two (or more) times but I would be really surprised if that color scheme is the final version.

Transformers 3 On Top In Lifetime Revenue

Another weekend has drawn to a close and Transformers: Dark of the Moon continues to hold its own at the box office despite stiff competition from Harry Potter 7.2 and Captain America. DOTM now has an estimated worldwide total of $882.4M, passing the previous two Transformers films in lifetime box office revenue. The film's domestic total breaks down to $325.8 million in the US and $556.6 elsewhere. That total makes DOTM the most successful international release ever for Paramount. The continued overseas success accounts for 63.1% of the total as the film still lags behind Revenge of the Fallen in the US.

This weekend DOTM added another $12 million in the US and $62 million international to the total with a big thanks to China's $40 million contribution as the film finally debuted there this weekend. Next weekend is Japan's turn to finally see the movie. At this point it is pretty much a forgone conclusion that Transformers: Dark of the Moon will join the billionaire club of movies that currently only has 8 members.

The question is will Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows beat the movie there considering in its second weekend the world wide total sits at $834.6 million thanks to even greater international success then Dark of the Moon. Domestically Harry Potter 7.2 suffered a huge 72% drop in sales from last weekend thanks to Captain America so there is still a chance that Dark of the Moon will hit a billion first.

San Diego Comic-Con Day 2-4 (Updated)

The second day of the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con as ended with a few more Transformers related bits with gallery of Soundwave & Ironhide, the TF Animation panel, and when the exclusives will be available to buy online.

Update: Nothing new happened on the final two days of SDCC. The only things of note is a new gallery from the dealer room by AllSpark and a look at Bumblebee Kre-O costume.

Human Alliance Soundwave Gallery
Hit the link to get a good look Human Alliance Soundwave that appears to come with Laserbeak and Dylan Gould figure. I have to admit he is looking pretty sweet. Wheeljack is also getting released but no word on Mirage/Dino. The scheduled release date is December.

Cannon Force Ironhide Gallery
At this link are images of the red paint job for voyager class version of Ironhide that will be released in September.

San Diego Comic Con Day 1

Yesterday was the preview, today was the first official day of the San Diego Comic-Con 2011. Transformers held multiple panels today from Hasbro, IDW, and Transformers: Prime revealing upcoming toys (including asked about DOTM toys), comics news, and hinting at a significant story arc for Prime.

Hasbro Transformers Panel
The Hasbro panel revealed a bunch of new toys that are in the works. The Generations line is getting relaunched with Junkheap (Wreck-Gar repaint) and Sky Shadow (Thunderwing repaint). Dark of the Moon wave 6 toys will include deluxe Wheeljack (specifically not Que) and Soundwave who will come in deluxe, Human Alliance (with Dylan Gould), and legion sizes. Additional DOTM toys include Air Raid and Darksteel. Target will be getting two score exclusives in the form of Leadfoot and a Leadfoot/Twin Twist two pack. Not sure why they just don't do a Wrecker trio set. Even more Transformers: Prime toys were teased with concept art for legion & deluxe class Wheeljack, legion Bumblebee, commander class Ironhide, deluxe Soundwave with Laserbeak, deluxe Knockout, voyager Skyquake, and voyager Starscream.

San Diego Comic-Con Day 0

The San Diego Comic-Con 2011 officially begins today but that didn't prevent visitors getting a chance from looking at the various displays that where built by the many companies that are using the convention as a means to promote their products including Hasbro. Below are links to the many galleries that have been posted of the upcoming wave of Transformers including Unicron, Toys R Us exclusive Rodimus Prime, Kre-O displays, Transformers: Prime toys, pallet of Kre-O Primes and more. Except for a couple of repaints, there isn't really anything new. Thanks to Sahara for some of the links.

Preview Night Galleries - TFormers (x217) | TFW2005 (9x)
Various galleries that are a combo of Transformers products and displays. The number in () is pics at the link.

Transformers: Prime Next Wave and Starscream Review

In prep for the San Diego Comic-Con 2011 that starts today, Hasbro has released official images of the next wave of Transformers: Prime toys that are scheduled to come out either this December or early next year. The next wave includes voyager Optimus Prime, voyager Bulkhead, deluxe Zombie Cliffjumper, and deluxe Vehicon. In addition Peaugh has posted a video review (below) of Transformers: Prime deluxe Starscream that is looking pretty sweet.

Possible DOTM Blu-Ray, DVD Covers

Play.com has posted what might be the cover for the "Triple Play" Blu-ray and single disc DVD versions of Transformers: Dark of the Moon when the film is released at retail on the rumored release date of November 15th. It could just also be a mock-up. (via Seibertron)

Official Hasbro SDCC Exclusive Prices

The 2011 San Diego Comic-Con is just days away. Hasbro is joining the party with a bunch of brand exclusives and panels to promote their line of products. Included with that is Transformers related items that was revealed a while back but the pricing has remained unknown until now thanks to a Hasbro issued press release (below). In years past, if fast enough, there have been chances to buy the toys at HasbroToyShop.com. Below is a summary of the Transformers related portions. Not mentioned is the rumored Masterpiece Rodimus Prime for the con.

TF Toys
- Special Edition Optimus Prime Kreon with Matrix deco (likely same as one from Botcon) - no price listed
G.I. Joe Sky STriker with Starscream deco - $49.99
Nerf N-Strike Barricade Optimus Prime RV-10 Blaster - $24.99
Special Edition Ultimate Optimus Prime - $79.99
Optimus Prime First Edition in Matrix packaging - $19.99

Panels
Transformers Brand Panel - 7/21 2:30pm to 3:30pm Room 24ABC
The Making of Transformers Prime - 7/21 3:30pm to 4:30pm Room 24ABC
Evolution of Transformers Animation - 7/22 5:30 to 6:30pm Room 8

Dark of the Moon Gives Hasbro a Boost

Hasbro's Q2 numbers (I think April 1st to June 30th) are in and the executives are feeling the love thanks to Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Their profits jumped 33% compared to same time last year ($58.1M to $43.6M). Sales are tracking the same as they did with Revenge of the Fallen, crediting the movie with much of the boost. As a result the boys division (which includes Transformers) had a 96% jump in revenue. Considering ROTF made $592M that year, it seems the next two quarters might be just as strong with the small drop in US sales being made up with international sales. It also seems that The Hub has turned a small quarter. There were concerns it was in financial trouble due to new deal that was negotiated with Discovery Communications but this quarter it turned a modest $197,000 profit. Not much but considering the network isn't a year old with all the associated startup costs that isn't a bad start.

Harry Potter Squashes Transformers at Box Office (Updated)

To no surprise Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 stomped Transformers: Dark of the Moon at the box office. Harry Potter took in a record breaking $168.55 million (including $1435M from midnight screenings) passing The Dark Knight ($158.4M) as the highest grossing weekend ever in North America. The result is DOTM suffered a 59% hit from the previous weekend taking in $39 million and passing Transformers I domestic total.

Overseas Harry Potter also squashed the competition taking in $307 million over the weekend easily passing the previous record holder of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger tides ($252M). The result it has made $475 million worldwide in just three days. By comparison, Dark of the Moon remains strong with an international total of $460M bringing the movies worldwide total to $762.8M after three weeks of release. At this point I will be really surprised if Transformers 3 doesn't cross the $1 billion threshold, the only question is will it do it before or after Harry Potter 8.

Transformers: Exiles Cover

Amazon has posted the cover to Transformers: Exiles, the sequel to Transformers: Exodus that kicked off the War for Cybertron continuity that informs Transformers: Prime and used concepts from the movies. The paperback novel by Alex Irvine is set for release on September 27, 2011. Below is the Amazon description of the novel.

The epic battles between Optimus Prime and Megatron have long thrilled Transformers fans. But these two giants weren’t always great leaders and bitter foes. This new novel continues the electrifying saga that started with Transformers: Exodus, unveiling the origins of the conflict—the explosive events that unfolded before Optimus and Megatron arrived Earthside, forever altering the destiny of their kind.

"Machine Gun (16bit Remix) Transformers Video

Below is a pretty sweet fan edit by Keith Carunida using 16bit's remix of "Machine Gun" by Noisia to create a fantastic music video using scenes from all three Transformers film. I have no clue who the artists are but the way the scene edits go just right with the music is how a montage should be done (speaking to the poor montage editors of award season). Worth the four minutes to watch and listen to. Thanks to Colin H. for the find.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon Linkfest

Time for a little cleanup on miscellaneous stuff that has popped up related to Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Links include a look at custom figures, a chance for Nebraskans to see two DOTM vehicles, a TF limo, new apparel line and more video reviews.

Customized DOTM Ironhide, Megatron and Sentinel Prime
Hit the link for a look at the custom figures based on the Dark of the Moon toys, each with a new gorgeous paint jobs, lights and other custom details that really make the figures stand out.

Gearing Up for DOTM
An interesting article with Tactical Pro Shop CEO Matthew Kime as he talks about how his company help outfit the gear that NEST wore in Dark of the Moon. “We started this project in Feb. 2010, so we had to be very proactive regarding where things are heading, plus integrate conceivable pieces of tech that this ‘elite’ unit would have had developed for their mission.” The company also helped on ROTF, helping with supplies when the shoot ran short in China.

Transformers #22 Preview

The next issue in the Chaos saga is out tomorrow with Transformers #22. The story is a flashback to the origins of the Transformers civil war and ties into events that are about the plague the entire race. The covers and first seven pages preview can be found here.

In comic related news, IDW has announced that John Barber (from Marvel) has taken over the reigns of Senior Editor. He is replacing former Senior Editor Andy Schmidt who left IDW for Hasbro. Barber's Transformers credentials including writing the comic adaptation of Transformers: Dark on the Moon and the upcoming Transformers #125 that is said to be titled the Death of Optimus Prime. Sadly considering how poorly the IDW has used the character, not really as big a deal as it may sound. Due note that "death" can have multiple meanings beyond the literal in comics.

Bay, Russell on Sound Mixing Transformers

In an interview with Editors Guild Magazine, director Michael Bay and Re-recording Mixer Greg Russell briefly discuss sound mixing for Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Its a technical discussion that gets into some of the prep and the use of Dolby 7.1 Surround. Below is a few segments, full interview is here.

EGM: Michael, how important is sound to your movies?
Michael Bay: Sound is 50 percent of the movie; it is critical. Transformers: Dark of the Moon is an effects-heavy movie, stylized and beautiful. Greg Russell is a key to its success.
We consistently try and make my movies the best sounding we’ve ever done. As James Cameron told me the other day when I played him an in-progress mix: “It’s f*cking epic!” We were in the middle of mixing the wall-to-wall sound in Act 3, as we’re preparing for the Battle of Chicago with a few characters in the middle of the city. It is all too easy for the mix to become too overwhelming. I rely on Greg to keep me grounded. You can make it totally loud, but then you have nowhere to go in terms of dynamics. Less, quite often, can be more for a movie soundtrack.

Making of Iridescent Music Video

Below is Linkin Park's next YouTube video called "Making of the Iridescent Music Video". Like the title says, it gives a behind the scenes look into making the music video for Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Thanks to Feris Othman for the link.

Life Size Transforming Ravage

Compute146 has created a sweet custom Transformer that takes the Generation One Ravage of scales him to the size of a medium size dog. He transforms to a cassette type shape that fits in his custom briefcase. These are few images, with more here. What you should really check out is the thread where he describes the creation process step by step with images as he worked on it over four months. That can be found here.

Transformers Linkfest - Mostly 3rd Party Edition

It has been a while but here is another bunch of links to upcoming Transformers toys not related to Dark of the Moon. Most of them are 3rd party creations that look epic including a Devastator tease and plans for a Dinobots Combiner. Also have links to a few galleries of upcoming Hasbro releases.

MakeToy's Devastator Teaser
The company has released a full size image of the combined Devastator that will be a combo of six smaller robots (blurry images of those at the link). The combined figure looks to be a round 12 inches high.